Apparent replication of suggestive linkage on chromosome 16 in the NIMH genetics initiative bipolar pedigrees

Analyses of a replication sample of families collected as part of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Genetics Initiative for bipolar disorder provide further evidence for linkage to a region of chromosome 16. Families who had a bipolar I (BPI) proband and at least one BPI or schizoaffective, bipolar type (SABP) first-degree relative were ascertained for the purpose of identifying genes involved in bipolar affective disorder. A series of hierarchical models of affected status was used in linkage analyses. Initial genetic analyses of chromosomes 3, 5, 15, 16, 17, and 22, completed at Indiana University in 540 subjects from 97 families, suggested evidence of linkage to chromosomes 5,16, and 22 [Edenberg et al., 1997: Am J Med Genet 74:238-246]. Genotyping was subsequently performed on these chromosomes in a replication sample of 353 individuals from 56 families. Nonparametric linkage analyses were performed using both affected relative and sibling pair methods. Analyses in the new sample on chromosome 16, using the broadest model of affected status, corroborate previously reported suggestive linkage to the marker D16S2619. Combining the initial and replication samples further increased the evidence of linkage to this region, with a peak lod score of 2.8. (C) 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.